You know what makes a Minnesota winter feel so long?
Obviously the cold. Darkness. Icy sidewalks. Shoveling. Stalled cars. Living in a black-and-white photo. Wearing layers. And of course actual time on the calendar (November through March, if we’re honest). All legit answers, however the one we at Minnesota Ice love to tackle is less obvious yet perhaps the most impactful:
Not spending enough time outside.
Cozying up indoors has its perks but too much time inside compromises our immune systems and tanks our moods and energy levels. With temps hovering near zero degrees you might still be tempted to wait until it’s warmer but…we’re Minnesotans! We buck up!
Getting out into the cold isn’t just a health-booster or proof of toughness—it also creates camaraderie and memories. Why do you think we all talk about the Halloween Blizzard? Because it was an adventure that kids and adults and neighbors and family and coworkers experienced together.
The Minnesota Ice team worked all year long to create a winter adventure for you out at Vikings Lakes in Eagan and we promise that it’s way more fun than the Halloween Blizzard. We didn’t make the fresh air, but we made pretty much everything else. We call what we’ve created The Minnesota Ice Festival and it’s literally glowing with icy magic.
Last year was so warm, we had to cancel the festival, so you can imagine how happy we are that it’s been a real Minnesota winter this year, as in: perfectly, awesomely cold. At the center of the event is the World’s Largest Ice Maze, designated as such by Guinness World Records. It covers almost the entire Vikings practice field!
But that’s only the beginning. After you make your way through the maze, warm up in The Minnesota Lottery Warming House before you play ice games in an igloo, rent skates and go ice skating, and take a few turns down the AT&T Hyper-Fast Ice Slide. Everyone looks goofy racing down the slide so make sure to take plenty of pics.
Then grab snacks on Food Truck Row and perhaps a cocktail at one of our ice bars. We’re hosting Happy Hour specials Thursdays and Sundays from 4-6 pm. And if you love hot sauce as much as we do, especially on a cold day, then you’ll love the Cry Baby Craig’s Bloody Mary Bar for brunch.
Needless to say, we’ve poured our hearts and souls into getting you outside in the depths of winter, creating memories while making the season feel a little shorter. Make sure to buy tickets at minnesotaicefestival.com before the ice melts!
